imagery

/ˈɪmɪdʒəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈi-mij-rē -mi-jə-/ (ame, mw)

imagery — noun

1. the use of descriptive language and visual elements in literature, film, or art

1.名詞B2
釋義

the use of descriptive language and visual elements in literature, film, or art to create mental pictures and communicate ideas or feelings

例句

The poet's dark imagery of war and destruction left the audience deeply moved.

collocation: dark imagery / poetic imagery

Students in the literature seminar discussed the religious imagery in the painter's early works.

collocation: religious imagery

同義詞
  • symbolism

    imagery creates a sensory picture; symbolism uses one thing to stand for another

  • description

    more general term for any written portrayal; imagery specifically aims to evoke the senses

  • figuration

    more technical or academic term for figurative language, less common in everyday use

文法句型

imagery + adjective

imagery + of + noun

用法筆記

Often modified by an adjective describing mood, theme, or sense (dark, religious, watery, bloody, dreamlike). Frequently followed by 'of' + noun to specify the subject of the images.

常見錯誤

❌The writer used many imageries in her novel.
✅The writer used vivid imagery in her novel.
💡Imagery is an uncountable noun and never takes the plural form.

2. pictures, photographs, or visual data produced by cameras, scanning devices, or

2.名詞B2
釋義

pictures, photographs, or visual data produced by cameras, scanning devices, or other technical systems

例句

Satellite imagery revealed how much the coastline had changed after the storm.

collocation: satellite imagery

The doctor examined the MRI imagery carefully before discussing the results with the patient.

collocation: MRI imagery / medical imagery

同義詞
  • images

    more general and can be countable; imagery is the collective mass noun

  • visuals

    informal term for any visual material; less technical than imagery

  • scans

    restricted to medical or document-scanning contexts; narrower in scope

文法句型

[technology] + imagery

imagery + of + noun

用法筆記

Typically preceded by a noun that identifies the imaging technology or field (satellite, MRI, drone, thermal, infrared, radar). Frequently passive construction: 'imagery was captured / produced / analysed.'

常見錯誤

❌The satellite took an imagery of the coast.
✅The satellite captured imagery of the coast.
💡Imagery is uncountable; use 'imagery' without an article or quantify with a phrase like 'a set of imagery.'

3. mental pictures or scenes that you create in your own mind, often used as a tech

3.名詞B1
釋義

mental pictures or scenes that you create in your own mind, often used as a technique for relaxation, skill practice, or recalling memories

例句

The sports psychologist taught the runners to use mental imagery before each race.

collocation: mental imagery

During the therapy session, the patients closed their eyes and practised guided imagery.

collocation: guided imagery

同義詞
  • visualization

    more active and deliberate process; imagery can be spontaneous or involuntary

  • imagination

    broader capacity for creativity and invention; imagery specifically refers to the mental pictures themselves

  • daydreaming

    informal and implies lack of focus; imagery is a structured technique

文法句型

mental imagery

guided imagery

imagery + of + noun

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the fixed phrases 'mental imagery' and 'guided imagery,' especially in sports psychology, meditation, and therapy. The structure 'imagery of + peaceful scene' is the most common pattern.

常見錯誤

❌Close your eyes and create a imagery of the beach.
✅Close your eyes and create imagery of the beach.
💡Do not use 'a' or 'an' before imagery since it is uncountable.